Collapsible box or the like



April 14, V1925. 1,533,636

E. DAY

April 14, 192s. I1,L=.:.3,7636 E. DAY

COLLAPSIBLE BOX OR THE LIKE Filed Jun 23, 1924 2 Shoots-Sheet 2' Patented Apr. 14,1925.

isms@ ELIZABETH nur, or cnicas-o, immers.

coLLArsiBLE non on Tian Linn.

Application filed June 23, 19211. Serial 1-I'o.`721,682.

T0 all whom t may conce/rn.'

Be it known that I, ELIZABETH DAY, a subject of the King of England, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of illinois, have invented certain new and useful `lmprovements in Collapsible Boites or the like, of which the following isa specification.

This invention relates to improvements in collapsible box or container, particularly adapted though not necessarily limited in its use, for containing a hat or like article, and one of the objects of the invention is to provide an improved box of this character for the purpose of holdingor containing a hat and when not in use may be readily folded into a compact space and may as readily be unfolded for use.

A further object is to provide an improved box or container of this character which will be of a simple, durable and light construction, and which will be effective and eliicient iu operation.

To the attainment of these` ends and the accomplishment. of other new and useful objects as will appear, the invention consists in the features of novelty in substantially the construction, combination and arrange ment of the several parts hereinafter more fully described and claimed and shown in the accompanying drawings illustrating this invention and iu which Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of an improved boi: of this character constructed in accordance with the principles of this in# Ventron7 showing the same unfolded for use.

Figure 2 is a view of the box showing Athe same in a partially collapsed condition.

Figure l is a view of the boit showing the same folded.`

Figure 4t is an enlarged detail elevation of one ofthe uprights.

Figure is a view partly in side elevation and partly in section of Figure it.

Figure G shows the upright of Figure 1iin a folded or collapsed condition.

Figure. 7 is an enlarged detail view of one of thejoints between the upright and one of the annular members of the box frame.

Figure S is a top plan view, on a reduced scale, and with parts omitted, .of one of the annular members of the box frame.

Figure 9 is a View partly in elevation and partly in section showing a modified form of upright.

1n the construction of the bonY 'there [are provided ltwo annular frame members des ignated generally by the reference numeral 10 1n Figure 8. hose annular members are of a sectional construction and consist of the sections 11, the ends of which terminate short of each other and the proximate ends of adjacent. sections are connectedv by means of interniediate members 12 through the medium of suitable-pivot connectionsfl. The pivots 13 permit the sections 11 to be folded with respect to eachother and also with respect tothe intermediate sections 12.

rllhe annular members thus formed may be of any desired size and constructed of any suitable. material, and the members are con nected by a series of uprights, any number of which may be provided. .'The length of the uprights is determined by the height of the boit or container that is desired to construct.

Vthe medium of a hinge or pivot 17. vThe anis of the hinge or pivot 17 is transverse to the aires of the pivots 18 so that when the annular member is folded the uprights may also be folded with respect to the annular member. rIhe free end of the upright section 15 is also connected with one ofthe intermediate sections 1Q, of one of the annular members through the medium of a pivot 1S which is transverse to the axes of the pivots 13.

rlho end of the 'pivot' 1G is preferably `provided with a hook shaped formation 19. Connected with the uprights are links QOMQi, the proximate ends of: which links overlap and interposed between the overlapping extremities are resilient` elements 22, preferably in the form of springs. One end of the springs is anchored as at Q3 to the link 2O and theothcr ends of the spring are anchored as at lll the link 1. rthe `,free end of the link 20 is connected with the hook shaped portion 19 of the section 15 of the upright through the medium of an intermediate link The free end of the link 21 is anchored as at i353 to the section 1li of the upright. This anto y,

. c e5 the upright section 15 adjacent Choi-ing means iii-ay 'oe of any suitable construction but ispreferably in the form of a hook as shown, over Which an eye 27 in the end of the link 2l is adapted to engage. The link 20 preferably passes through a suitable aperture or opening 28 in the adjacent portion of the link 21 so as to be guided thereby.

The stress of the springs 22 is such that it is constantly being exerted to separate the overlapping ends of the links 20 and 2l and is exerted at all times upon the sections la and l5 of the upright so as to hold the uprights in a proper position when unfolded and to operate to maintain a tension or stress upon the upright section members 11i-15, When the latter are folded or collapsed for holding the parts in their folded vposition by reason of the fact that the stress of the springs 22 Will through the medium of the link 25 be exerted upon the other side of the pivot 16 as shown more clearly in Figure G.

The frame thus formed may be covered by a suitable cover" ig 29 such as fabric or the like and the bottom ef the box may be formed of similar fabric suitably reenforced.

The cover 30 of the box may also be formed 4of suitable fabricJ and is provided with the usual encompassing ilange to lit over the edge of the box when the cover is in place.

The bottom is adapted to be folded with the box frame and the cover 30 is also adapted to be folded so that the folded frame will lit Within the cover as shown in Figure 3, thereby permitting the device to be collapsed into a. compact space.

In the form of the invention shown in I Figure 9, each of the upright-sis of a sec` tional construction and consists of the sections 3l32 pivotally connected at one end as at 33, the end 34, of vthe section 32 being connected with the secticn-l2 of one of tie annular members, through the medium of a hinge 35. The element 32 'is of a tubular construction and arranged therein is an elastic element 36, preferably in the form of a coil spring, one end of which -is anchored to tliesection 32 as at 37. rlhe other end of the spring 36 terminates in an extension 38, which extends through the end of the tubular section 32 adjacent the pivot A link 39 connects the end of the extension 38 With the hook shaped portion el() of the section 3l preferably adjacent the pivot 33.

lVith this form of the invention it Will be `manifest that When the sections 31--32 are folded with respect to each other the spring 88 will yield su'lliciently to permit of the folding and unfolding operation and When in a folded or an unfolded position the spring 3G exerts its stress to maintain the sections 3l-32 in their adjusted positions.

In the form of the invent-ion shoivn in Figures l to 3, the uprights are preferably encased Within ahousing l1 formed by sewing or attaching a strip of fabric or similar material on the inside of the Wall of the box and over the respective uprights so that theuprights will stand and operate Within pockets so to speak.

With this improved construction it will be manifest that When not in use the box or receptacle may be folded into a compact space for packing which renders it easy for a traveler to be provided with a hat box which Whendesired may be unfolded for use for the recept-ion of a hat or the like. At the same time there will be provided asimple, light and dura-ble construction Which will be effective and efficient in operation.

While the preferred forms of the invention have been herein shown and described it is to be understood that various changes may be made in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, within the scope of the claims, without departing from the spirit of this invention.

4that is claimed-as new is:

l. A collapsible box or the likeincluding a frame like structure, said structure including spaced sectional annular members, sectional uprights interposed between and connecting the annular members, the said parts being` respectively foldable, the scctions of the uprights being foldablc from the periphery of the annular members in- Wardly, and means connected with the said uprights for maintaining them in folded and unfolded relation.

2. A collapsible box or the like including a frame like structure, said structure including spaced annular members of pivotally connected sections, uprights connecting the respective sections of the members, said uprights being formed of pivotally connected sections foldable inwardly from the peripheries of and between the annular members when the uprights are collapsed. the sections of the said annular member be-l ing foldable upon each other after the uprights are folded.

3. A collapsible box or the like including` a frame like structure, said frame includimr spaced annular members, each of the meml bers includingl a hingesection to which the other sections are pivotally connected, uprights connecting the said members, said nprights including sections pivotally connected together at one end, the other ends ofthe sections of the respective uprights being rigidly connected With the respective hinge sec tions of the said members, and formations associated with theuprights for maintaining the frame structure in folded and unfolded positions.

4. A collapsible box or the like including a frame like structure, said ,frame including spaced annular members, each of the memlbers including a hinge section to which the connected, upmembers, said other sections are pivotally rights connecting the said uprights including sections pivotally connected together at one end, theother ends of the sections of the respective nprights being rigidly connected with the respective hinge sections ol the said members, and :ton mations associated withthe uprights for maintaining the trame structure in folded and unfolded positions, the sections of the uprights being :toldable between the said annular members and the sections of the said annular members being foldable with respect to each other.

5. A collapsible box or the like including a l'rame like structure. said structure including spaced annular members, uprights connecting the members, each ot said uprights includingl sections pivotally connected atone end, the other end of the respective sections being connected with the respective annular member, the sections ot the uprights 'folding inwardly toward the diametric centers of the annular members, an elastic ele.- ment connected with one of the sections ot the upright, and means connected with the other section of the upright and operating upon the said elastic element for maintaining the structure in `folded and unfolded positions.

6. A collapsible boi( or the like including a frame like structure, said` structure includ-v ing spaced ami'ular members, uprights connecting the members, each ot said uprights including sections pivotally connected at one end, the other end of the respective sections being connected with the respective annular member, the sections of the uprights folding inwardly toward the diametric centers oi the annular members, an elastic element connected with one olf the sections of the upn right, and means connected with the other section et' the upright adjacent the pointl of pivotal connection ot the sections of the up* right and operating upon the said elastic element 'lior maintaining the structure in folded and unfolded positions.

7. A collapsible box or the like including a it 'ame like structure, said structure including spaced annular members, uprights connecting the members, each of said uprights including sections pivotally connected at one end, the other end of the respective sections being connected with the respective annular member, an elastic element anchored with res ect to one of the sections of the up-y rig it, a link operatively connected by one end with the said elastic element, and means connecting the link with the other section of the said upright.

8. A collapsible bok or the like including a frame like structure, said structure includ ing spaced annular members, uprights connecting the members, each of said uprights including sections pivotally connected at one end, the other end of the respective section being connected with the respective annular members, an elastic element anchored with respect to one of the sections of the. ,upa`

right, a link operatively connected by one end with the said elastic element, and a second link forming a connection between the first recited link and the other section of `the said upright.

9. A collapsible. boX or the like including a frame like structure, said structure including spaced annular members, uprights connecting the members, each ot said uprights including sections pivotally connected at one end, the other end of the respective section being connected with the respective annular members, an elastic element anchored with respect to one of the sections of the upright, a linkoperatively connected by one end withthe said elastic element, a second link forming a connect-ion between the rst recited link and the other section of the said upright, and means for guiding the action 01": the lirst recited link and the said elastic element.

10. A collapsible hat box or the like including a frame like structure, said structure including spaced annular members including toldable sections, uprights connecting the members, said uprights including sections pivotally connected at one end, means pivotally connecting the other ends ot the upright sections to the respective annular members on axes transverse to the axes of the pivots between the sections ot' the respective annular members, whereby the sections ot' the uprights will fold between the annular members, and resilient means co-operating` with the sections of the said? uprights for maintaining the structure in lolded and unfolded positions.

ln testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specilication, on this 16th day oit June, A. D. 1924. y

ELIZABETH DAY. 

